On June 29, 2026, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič co-chaired the first meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultations (TIC) at EU headquarters and issued a joint statement after the meeting. The two sides held comprehensive, in-depth, and constructive discussions on major China-EU economic and trade issues, confirmed the formal establishment of the TIC, with four workstreams identified: trade and investment balancing, export controls, IPR, and WTO reform, and agreed to set up a joint monitoring mechanism.

The two sides exchanged market access lists and agreed to work toward the gradual resolution of their respective concerns. They spoke positively of the progress made in the China-EU Export Control Dialogue, agreed to strengthen dialogue and take further facilitation measures to uphold the stability of global industrial and supply chains. The two sides also agreed to further enhance cooperation and exchanges on IPR and within the WTO framework.

Wang raised concerns regarding the EU’s financing ban on China’s inverters, the proposal for revision of the Cybersecurity Act, and the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act. He stressed that China is not the source of the EU’s problems, but a partner in solving them. Noting that relevant EU economic and trade instruments and restrictive measures toward China seriously affect normal China-EU economic and trade cooperation as well as global industrial and supply chain stability, he urged the EU side to bear in mind the large picture of China-EU economic and trade relationship, attach importance to China’s serious concerns, and avoid escalation of economic and trade frictions. China stands ready to enhance dialogue and consultation with the EU through the TIC, properly manage differences and frictions, promote practical cooperation, and work for an upward balance in China-EU trade.

Šefčovič stated that China is a key economic and trading partner of the EU, and the bloc unanimously agrees to strengthen engagement and dialogue with China and has no intention to expand trade frictions. The EU attaches great importance to trade balance issues and is willing to step up dialogue and consultation, manage differences, and expand exports to China under the TIC, to foster a more balanced and stable EU-China economic and trade relationship.

The two sides tasked their working teams to step up efforts, strive for practical outcomes, and prepare for the next meeting of the TIC. (Released on June 30)